Sunday, October 11, 2009

Ashish Wheels Limited (AWL) from Siliguri is the first company in North East India involved in the production of electric vehicles powered by advanced engineering and technology. They are manufacturing a range of battery powered two wheelers to suit different needs. Presently, they are more of an assembler than a manufacturer, since all the key components are being imported. Sealed maintenance free lead acid batteries are used as the power source. The company is confident if winning acceptance as a top manufactured and assembler of electric vehicles.

The vehicles help in reducing air and noise pollution, an option which government, private sectors and the general public are increasingly turning to. Sealed maintenance free lead acid batteries are used as the power source.

AWL is committed to expand production and distribution throughout India and other regions of the world once the company has built a firm foundation and has the technology and capability to succeed.

AWL has its technical collaboration from all corners of the world such Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China and U.S.A to keep upgrading the technology suitable to Indian conditions.

AWL develops the full range of electric vehicles that will help the people around the world to protect the environment from pollution. They are committed to eco-friendly pollution free concept with easy to afford, low running cost, personal transportation to all the segment of society.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

For the first time in West Bengal, Bhaskar Silicon Private Ltd, promoted by Kolkata based Environ Energy Tech Services, is expected to start operation of its polysilicon and wafer-processing facility in West Bengal’s industrial township Haldia in 2011. The unit will make 2,500 tonnes of polysilicon per annum capable of generating 250 MW (mega-watt) of solar power.

“The total investment will be around Rs.3,000 crore, for both the polysilicon and solar module plant. We have already got physical possession of 200 acres at Haldia in East Midnapore district,” Jyoti Poddar, chief executive of Environ Energy and managing director of Bhaskar Silicon Ltd said at a press conference.

He said: “The construction work at the site is on and we will commence production at the unit by September-October 2011.”

“There are altogether 27 companies across India, of which six are operational in West Bengal, which are into the business of manufacturing solar cells and modules. But these companies are merely assemblers, who procure the basic material, the silicon wafer, through outsourcing. Since there are very few players who are present in polysilicon and wafer-manufacturing sector, we mostly import polysilicon and wafer from different countries like Germany, the United States and Japan. We must develop our own capacity to manufacture these components required for solar power generation if we want to be an energy sufficient nation.

The potential of producing solar power is huge in the country, especially after the declaration of prime minister’s National Solar Mission (NSM). West Bengal has already played a major role in generating solar power along with other states like Hyderabad and Karnataka.

Presently the target of India’s solar power generation is 20,000 MW by 2020. To meet this demand, India needs an average of about 2,000 MW annual installation of solar from 2010. It will also create a demand for polysilicon to 20,000 tonne per annum from 2010.

A recent estimate showed that India imports about 4,000 TPA of polysilicon and wafers.

In order to generate awareness among the common people, particularly students about the importance of New and Rrenewable Sources of Energy in the context of depletion of fossil fuel and increasing environmental pollution, WBREDA has launched a major programme in the country to set up Energy Education Parks. The first major Energy Education Park was set up in the country in Kolkata in February, 2000.

More than 350 thousand people have visited the park so far. The main objective of the park is to educate people in respect of energy use through interactive energy devices. While doing so, the entertainment concept has been integrated with the exhibits. The park is also a unique place to train the unemployed youths in respect of servicing of various renewable energy systems. The Kolkata Energy Park set up at an estimated cost of Rs. 85 lacs, is now model in the country. Similar Energy Education Parks have come up in cities like Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, etc. WBREDA and some exhibits manufacturers of Kolkata are helping the other States in respect of setting up of the Energy Education Parks. WBREDA has also set up one more major Energy Education Park in Durgapur city, which is the industrial city of the State of West Bengal. The Energy Education Park of Kolkata is being maintained by a Physically Handicapped Society with about 12 physically handicapped people. The Park is running on sustainable basis. The annual revenue of the park is more than Rs. 10 lacs.

WBREDA has launched the Electric Vehicle programme in Kolkata city in order to arrest the environmental pollution caused from vehicular emission. WBREDA, already in association with West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation is operating two Battery Operated Vehicles (16 Seaters) in the Kolkata city. At present ten numbers Battery Operated Three Wheelers are also operating in the state of West Bengal. The demonstration Battery Operated Three Wheelers are already in operation in Salt Lake City.

In order to promote, renewable sources of energy in the state, WBREDA (WEST BENGAL RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY under the Department of Power & NES, Govt. of West Bengal ) has set up 4 Aditya Solar Shops. Prime objects of Aditya Solar Shop programme are to make Renewable Energy products easily available to the people & provide effective after sales services. This is a very good instance of effective public private partnership.

Different manufacturers & suppliers have demonstrated their products in the Aditya Solar Shops. Intending buyer can directly procure any product of their own choice from the displayed products. The Shops also disseminate information on renewable energy based gadgets and devices to the visitors. Buyers can also avail subsidy directly from the shops on production of necessary documents. Aditya Solar Shop programme creates market competition among the suppliers to develop their products in a cost effective manner. Manufacturers also get feed back information through Aditya Solar Shops.